You're missing the point - the veg/vegan friendliness at the Penguin was a large part of its success and its gratifying to see it in effect at the Diamond, and Pinky's, as well. There's a real loaf on there as well - yay loaf for all!

I dunno, I gotta throw in with the super-excited crowd and say I love the place. There's poutine on the menu - a first for CLT? And it's available either veg or non. And comes with friggin' pimento cheese instead of curds. And I can't not order it when I go.

Pickles are lighter.

Vegan meatloaf.

Perfectly redone interior - stuff that needed fixing got fixed, beautiful, old Diamond architecture/colors were kept. Kinda weird they replaced the old Coca Cola sign, but hey.

Most of what I've eaten thus far has been killer, junky, vitamin-less, good. The menu actually has some italian/greek stuff, which is interesting, and there's salmon all over the place. They're going to make so much money, and once they open 24 hrs on the weekends... I'm gonna get fat(ter). Ce la vie.

Ya and Sprock is the same guy who turned the Flying Biscuit into what it is now - mediocre grub and mass produced "charm". Guy is on the top of my Evil Food Dudes list.

Ooooh, I can't wait to hit this place. Thanks for the tip!

I just discovered the joy of boiled green peanuts a couple weeks back, so I feel your pain. Soooo much tastier than the regs!

Pinky's is ex-Penguin dudes, the new Diamond is Penguin dudes.

Pinky's? Thought that was open already?

This looks lovely. Might try it with tofu!

I'm sold. This sunday, perhaps!

Well, their products aren't available in Charlotte (those grits I saw must have been a hopeful hallucination!).

Funny that when I lived in NYC, I could get their grits/flours from several different stores. Which reminds me - next time I'm in possession of a couple hundred thousand bucks, to start construction on a locally-focused grocery store, since we have none. Sigh.

I can, but I'd much rather find a place in-town I can rely on for snobby flours.

So want to try this place. Anyone know if the Sunday buffet is veggie-friendly?

Bistro, rather. Sunday brunch has gotten a lil packed since their Observer write up - reservations suggested :)

Bob's, but no Anson. My search continues. It would be lame if I had to order flour off the innernets but it's looking more and more likely...

Funny, I was there last week and saw only grits. I shall polish my spectacles and try again. Thanks!

It's pretty sweet. So clean! The only-one-kind-of-a-thing thing (ie - one brand of paneer, thai curry paste, etc) bothers me. Still, it's entertaining being able to buy bitter melon, garam masala, and pickled jalapenos all from under one roof.

A food court would be awesome.

Doing a lot of local cooking for work and in need of locally grown/milled flours. Anson Mills seems to be the best bet for wheat, but I've yet to see their bread or pastry flours for sale in any of the high-end markets. Anyone got any tips? Or even better, another source or two for local flour?

I'm veg, so leaving out the offal is probably going to make me happy. Also, second Meskerem - try the lunch buffet, if you're looking for cheap and don't mind eating vegetarian.

That aside, for Mexican in CLT, try Tres Amigos (formerly La Casa de las Enchiladas). Best I've had so far, beats out the La Unica chain and Taqueria Mexico, by my tongue at least.

There are several Salvadorian papusarias a little further east of the above-mentioned stop, El Pulgarcito being the big hit. Best as a lunch spot. Good luck, and if you find something mind-blowing, let us know!

Try Pasta & Provisions?

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Pasta & Provisions
1528 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC

For a special, somewhat upscale vegetarian dinner, send them into Charlotte, to Carpe Diem.

For lower key, ethnic fare, Fu Lin on Independence is solid and super veg-friendly, Woodlands on Albemarle is very good Indian, and Cuisine Malaya, which is close to Carpe, is solid pan-Asian. Or, treat them to ethiopian at Meskerem.